On FEMA’s figures, West Menlo Park faces more hazard damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns, mostly from earthquakes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, West Menlo Park gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns, #460 of 847 in California. Most of that expected damage is earthquakes (52%), then river and rain flooding (47%). Flood insurance has paid 4 claims here since 1998.
Graded on FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value (NRI v1.20, December 2025), weighted by where residents live; flood claims are shown, not graded. How hazard risk is graded
What West Menlo Park faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
Earthquakes
River and rain flooding
Shares are of FEMA’s expected building damage, the measure the grade uses; ranks compare each hazard’s building-damage rate with all 85,154 U.S. census tracts. In FEMA’s terms, river and rain flooding is FEMA’s “Inland Flooding” (rivers and streams overflowing their banks, or rain overwhelming drainage). FEMA defines coastal flooding as high or rising tides and storm surge, so surge damage is counted there. Drought isn’t listed: FEMA counts its losses in crops only.
What’s behind West Menlo Park’s grade
Earthquakes are 52% of the building damage FEMA expects in West Menlo Park, and West Menlo Park’s rate of earthquakes damage is in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 47% (higher than 85% of U.S. census tracts).
D #460 of 847 in California; higher expected damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns (21,298).
West Menlo Park’s residents live in 3 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical California town has higher expected damage than 92% of U.S. towns; within the state, West Menlo Park has more expected damage per building than 54% of California towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.6M a year in losses across West Menlo Park: $3.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does West Menlo Park flood? Rarely: 4 flood claims since 1998
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in West Menlo Park, from FEMA’s records: 2.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 56% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Pineapple Express - Southern2 claims · $9K
West Menlo Park isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: San Mateo County.The storms West Menlo Park remembers
None of the 19 disasters declared for San Mateo County shows FEMA aid or repair money reaching West Menlo Park itself in FEMA’s records, so these are its biggest flood-claim years.
- 19982 flood claims paidThe year of Severe Winter Storms and Flooding, declared for San Mateo County
- 20021 flood claims paidNo declaration for the county that year
- 20061 flood claims paidThe year of Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides, declared for San Mateo County
San Mateo County has had 19 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then floods. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Also 2 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in San Mateo County, 2010–2020.
Old photos of West Menlo Park after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the West Menlo Park archive →West Menlo Park and its neighbors
West Menlo Park has the lowest expected damage per building of the 3 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| West Menlo Park | Dmore damage than 93% | earthquakes | 4 |
| Menlo Park | Dmore damage than 94% | earthquakes | 16 |
| Atherton | Dmore damage than 95% | earthquakes | 8 |
Hazard risk = FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value, vs. the 21,298 U.S. towns we grade; the map is shaded by fifths of the same scale. Flood claims = paid federal flood insurance claims on record.
Get ready for what West Menlo Park faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- Turn around at flooded roads: a foot of moving water can carry off a car.
- Flood insurance usually takes 30 days to start, so buy it before the forecast.
- Keep papers and medicines up high, in a grab-and-go bag.
- Look up the address on FEMA’s flood map.
- Ask the seller or landlord whether it has ever flooded, and what flood insurance costs there.
- Get a flood insurance quote early: policies usually start 30 days after you buy.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in West Menlo Park
Is West Menlo Park at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, West Menlo Park has higher expected damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #460 of 847 in California. Most of the expected damage is earthquakes (52%) and river and rain flooding (47%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does West Menlo Park flood?
Flood insurance has paid 4 claims in West Menlo Park since 1998, $21K in all, or 2.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 56% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Pineapple Express - Southern (2).
Is West Menlo Park in a flood zone?
Flood zones are drawn street by street, so the answer depends on the address: look it up on FEMA’s flood map. In San Mateo County, 31% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.8% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in West Menlo Park?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for West Menlo Park’s flood program. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in West Menlo Park?
By flood claims, Pineapple Express - Southern: 2 paid, $9K.
Is West Menlo Park at risk from earthquakes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (52%), and West Menlo Park’s rate for it is in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in West Menlo Park.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where West Menlo Park’s residents lived in the 2020 census; OpenFEMA: NFIP redacted claims, multiple-loss properties, community status book and residential penetration rates, housing assistance (owners and renters), public assistance funded projects, hazard mitigation properties and disaster declarations. Homes: Census ACS 2020–24. Preparedness tips: Ready.gov. FEMA’s model is an average of expected damage, not a forecast. How hazard risk is graded.